Symphony concert to pair original work with Kling tale

The Dakota Valley Symphony will present the first performance of an original composition by composer Victor Zupanc at its concert at 2 p.m. April 28 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

The piece, commissioned by Beverly Grossman, life trustee of the Minnesota Institute of Arts, will accompany Minnesotan Kevin Kling's narration of his tale "The Burning Wisdom of Finn McCool."

Zupanc, who is the music director and composer at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, is a prolific composer of theater scores and other works. Kling is a well-known author, playwright and storyteller.

The concert will also feature the two winners of the annual Young Artists' Competition.

Kristina Butler, a senior at Burnsville High School, will perform the "Alleluia" from Mozart's "Exsultate Jubilate." Cellist Michelle Gomez of Eden Prairie High School will perform the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33.

The Dakota Valley Symphony was created to provide an opportunity for volunteer musicians to "perform and promote diverse symphonic musical experiences of all periods and styles for residents of the south suburban Twin Cities area," according to a news release. For more information on the group, see www.dakotavalleysymphony.org.

Tickets for the concert range from $5 to $16 and can be purchased at the BPAC box office or via Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com. The arts center is at 12600 Nicollet Av.

NORTHFIELD

'I Was a Rat' to be staged

The Northfield Arts Guild Theater in late April will stage "I Was a Rat" by Barbara Field, adapted from the children's book by Philip Pullman.

The play tells the story of Little Roger, a rat who is chosen to be one of the coachmen for Cinderella's carriage. When he is accidentally left behind, he is transformed into a little boy. Roger has a series of misadventures as he looks for his place in the unfamiliar world of humans.

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 19, 20, 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. April 21 and 28 at the Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. 3rd St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors; purchase them online at www.northfieldartsguild.org, by phone at 507-645-8877 or in person at the Center for the Arts.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

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